This scene shows the fossilised rostrum and nasal bones of an unidentified ancient beaked whale recently discovered during fishing operations on the Kerguelen Plateau.
This skull was found aboard a fishing vessel and collected by AFMA Observers as part of the Southern Ocean Scientific Observer program. The specimen is currently under study at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.
For comparison, the fossil is presented alongide a modern skull from a strap-toothed beaked whale (Mesoplodon layardii). Note how the fragile braincase has been lost in the fossil, while the more dense and robust rostrum or “beak” bones have survived for many thousands of years on the seafloor.
Both skulls were scanned using an iPhone 12 Pro using the photogrammetry app Polycam.
Comments